Arielle Ship gave the seniors on the Westlake girls’ soccer team a night to remember Thursday.

Ship’s goal late in the first half lifted the host Warriors to a 1-0 victory against Agoura in a Marmonte League showdown.

Westlake (10-4-4, 7-3-2) secured sole possesion of first place with two games remaining in the regular season.

It had extra meaning for Ship as Westlake recognized its seniors before the game.

“It was imperative that we win tonight with first place on the line. We were all emotionally invested in this game,” Ship said. “I don’t think our mind-set was right earlier in the season. The last loss to Newbury Park was like a re-awakening. It shows what type a team you are if you could swing back from a loss or go downhill.”

Things did not look good for Westlake early on as Agoura’s defense controlled most of the first half, holding the Warriors to just four shots.

But Westlake finally broke through in the 35th minute.

Ship took a pass from Julia Ozello at midfield and raced downfield.

After splitting two defenders, she fired a shot from 15 yards out into the lower left corner of the goal.

“As soon as I got around the last girl, I knew I was going to score,” Ship said. “That was most biggest goal of the year that I have had.”

Westlake made the goal stand, constantly clearing any the ball away from its goal in the second half.

Agoura (11-4-1, 7-4-1) came out more aggressive in the second half but was unable to score.

The Chargers’ Brooke Held’s shot near the left sideline from 35 yards out came up short in the 66th minute.

Five minutes later, Held had another opportunity but her shot from 20 yards went wide left.

“Our inability to get shots close to the goal has been problematic for us all season,” Agoura coach Mike Skene said. “We made one defensive mistake in the penalty area and it cost us.”

Agoura finished with 11 shots, with six coming in the second half.

“We knew they were going to come out tough in the second half,” Westlake coach Frank Marino said. “I felt if we could get another score early in the second half we could have some breathing room. But we got the win, so I am not going to complain too much.”

The victory is a good sign for the Warriors as they won five straight matches following a loss earlier this season.

“We’re pretty good at rebounding after a loss,” Marino said. “Hopefully this will be the start of a new streak heading into the playoffs.”